Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Chiyonofuji fans will be happy to hear that after a weekend of digging through the treasure-trove of scans (thanks again and again to Hahanoyama-zeki) I found some 4-5 pictures of this great yokozuna, which I'll post soon. But I also found 200 ( ! ) other very interesting and/or amuzing pictures... so, this thread isn't dying anytime soon. :-D

Share on other sites

OK, one quick interjected question... on the topic of Yusho portraits, WHEN are these taken? They are obviously all different shots, so do the Makuuchi ALL pose for these before the basho? Cause by the time they get the Cup and the framed portrait, it's obviously all already taken and framed... So, I would guess they make them for all Makuuchi before the basho? And if so, what happens to the ones they didn't use? :)

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

I think they are taken after the basho and are lifted to the roof at a later time. Do they really get a copy during the yusho ceremonies? I didn't think so, but I am very uncertain about this, so anyone who knows, please share.

They DO get a framed portrait as part of the long "procession of prizes", IIRC right after they receive the Emperor's Cup and the NSK Banner (or maybe after the Prime Minister's Cup, in any event, pretty early in the prize rotation) :) I guess many of you never get to see the "procession" on Eurosport or the web feed, but it really seems to drag on and on and on... first time I saw it, I could not believe how many prizes and trophies are handed out! :)

I also fuzzily seem to remember that once one of the NSK commentators said that the Yusho winner gets to keep one portrait, and that an identical one will be hoisted in the arena. But, it was 4:07 in the morning, or close to it, so I might have heard wrong in my state of semi-delirious quasi-consciousness! :)

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

It seems like a waste to take everyone's pictures. My guess is on the second to last day they take pictures of yusho contenders. There's typically only one or two contenders going into the last day.

Then it's no big deal: digital camera, print out picture in a couple of minutes. They probably buy all 6 frames (or however many they need) in advance, and so it only takes a few minutes to get the framed picture ready.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

I also fuzzily seem to remember that once one of the NSK commentators said that the Yusho winner gets to keep one portrait, and that an identical one will be hoisted in the arena.

Yes, they are called yusho-gaku.

yusho-gaku

, about 350 cm tall pictures of yusho winners; hung on the ceiling of Kokugikan; paid by Mainichi Shimbun newspaper and coloured over black and white photos by an elderly lady; after being in Kokugikan for six years they are given to the respective rikishi; prior to every honbasho held at Kokugikan two yusho-gaku depicting latest honbasho winners are revealed

Here are Kotomitsuki and Musashimaru in January 2002 as they are shown the yusho-gaku of their respective yusho (Aki 2001 for Keiji, Kyushu 2001 for Fia).

I noticed later this picture shows also the yusho-gaku hung high up near the ceiling.

Kaio with the small one in his hands and the big one in the background.

Judging by the wood grain this Kotomitsuki gaku is one of those small ones the yusho winner gets either right away with him on the dohyo or later when the big gaku is shown for the first time.

Then few wedding photos. First Kaio.

Then Tokitsuumi who, I think, was suspected a bachelor earlier. :-D

Finally a series of four pictures from Daishi's danpatsu-shiki ceremony. Although he wasn't that famous by his sumo alone (then again a long career in juryo and occasionally in makuuchi as well is naturally relatively speaking a successful one, no doubt), he got name for him as an excellent sumo jinku singer. Here he is with other rikishi singing in turns with his two small sons. I miss him. He was one of us Showa 43ers... (Waving goodbye...)

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Here are two pictures from a kyokai calendar (2001?). First the gyoji (down to the juryo-kaku rank) and then the three yokozuna of 2000 - 2001. What's that building? Apparently one built for Tokyo Olympics.

Then I'd like to introduce the newcomers few former maegashira who have retired recently.

First Kitakachidoki Hayato of Isenoumi-beya who got as far as M3. Northern Victory Cry from Hokkaido retired in September 2000. He's now Katsunoura Oyakata in Isenoumi-beya.

Then we have Ohinode Takaaki of Tatsunami-beya whose highest rank was M9. Great Sunrise retired in September 2000 as well due to lung ailment and intended to establish a cosmetics import firm. Anyone with news about him?

And finally Minatofuji Takayuki of Minato-beya who had the Tatsutagawa kabu but didn't he sell it? My memory fails again... Anyway he was M2 at his best and spent 46 bashos in makuuchi. The Marshmellow Man retired in September 2002. Another Showa 43er... :~-(

Finally two images for Kyokutenho fans among us (and I count myself in)! First, he's a drummer and second, he's a komusubi! 8-O